A Chance and a Charge
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Shawna, Corrin
Date Posted: 15th February 2026
Characters: A'brevan, K'valdran
Description: K’valdran seizes an opportunity to promote a friend and kills several avians with one stone.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 1 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: R’enh, T’gyrlan, I’serin, R’vayn, C’rin
K'valdran was never happy to hear of casualties under his command and even less so now as he was working to turn around I’serin’s worrying losses, but when he heard Wingleader R’enh’s recent injuries were enough to ground the man-- he saw an opportunity.
“A’brevan!” The Weyrleader rose, welcoming the other bronzerider to his office. “Come, sit. Tell me, how is Ridge Wing these days?”
“We’re holding it together,” A’brevan said easily. “T’gyrlan has stepped up, of course. He’s pretty by the books, so it hasn’t been a rocky transition. It’s always harder when a wild card takes over and immediately starts shaking things up, you know. We hope R’enh recovers soon though; I’d rather it not be permanent and I’m sure I’m not alone.” He didn’t seem overly worried to have been summoned, and took a seat when K’valdran gestured to one.
“That’s good to hear. I have no plans for _T’gyrlan_ to be permanent. He may be reformed, he may not be,” said K’valdran, the cynical twist in his tone suggested he was of the latter opinion. “Either way he has already cost the Weyr more than enough. And--”
He broke off with a short, sour laugh. “Well, I don’t need to tell you, do I?”
“You don’t,” A’brevan agreed. “I know it was an accident and I can be civil to him, but I don’t think any of us want him ‘leading.”
Settling back into his seat, K’valdran busied himself pouring them each a finger of brandy. “I’ll cut to the chase,” he said, sliding one glass across to his friend. “The healers don’t know when R’enh will be back and I need a wingleader I can trust in that spot. I trust you. Your foundation is solid. By all accounts you were a fine ‘second until K'reyel’s wing reshuffle. It’s past time you take point. I’m assigning you command of Ridge.”
A’brevan took the brandy, trying not to look tense as he waited. When K’valdran finished, though, he grinned, “I’d pretend to be more surprised, but M’kall is nearly to retirement, and the browns are barely out of Weyrlinghood.” Sobering, he said, “I won’t disappoint you. Thank you for trusting me. Even if I did once spend an hour looking for the wingsail grease.”
“You did,” K’valdran agreed, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “But you learned too. You were always one of my sharpest wingriders back in Indy.* And not just sharp, but game too. I have no doubt you’re ready for this-- Which is why I’m entrusting you with a second charge as well. I want you to take I’serin on as your Wingthird. The man is your age, but astonishingly green. His recent Weyrleadership was his first and only command and we all saw how that went.”
He frowned darkly. “Whether I’serin is a capable commander or not, it’s clear Aluneth can catch, so like it or not we must make sure he is at least not a hazard to the Weyr. I want you to take him and train him, like I trained you.”
A flicker of unease crossed A’brevan’s face, and he idly spun the brandy glass in his hand as he thought about that. He didn’t doubt he was ready to step into the wing position, but adding the extra weight of being expected to train on top of it wasn’t a small ask, especially with no idea how willing his new wingthird was going to be. “I can do that,” this came out slower than his previous assertion, “but in that case, I’d like permission to poach from the other wings for my ‘second. Just so I’m not juggling say… C’rin’s genuine inexperience and I’serin. Who’s available? I’m sure you’re doing other moves. Just someone with a decent head on their shoulders who isn’t going to want to butt heads with me over the position or need everything explained.” A former Weyrleader turned Wingthird was likely to be enough of a headache; he didn’t need a ‘second who also wanted his job.
K’valdran nodded, pleased. “Of course. It’s in everyone’s interest that you have what you need in this endeavor. Outside of my wingleaders, you may have your pick.” He flipped open a ledger containing the fighting roster and passed it across the table. “D’darin, L’rengal and R’vayn are all solid veterans and ‘seconds without a particular thirst for the headaches that come with a ‘leader’s knots. I would suggest R’kesha as well, but I gather this past Turn has been hard on him.”
“R’vayn has a mouth I don’t approve of, but that may be a good lesson for I’serin. If he doesn’t object, I’d like him. I’d trust him with my life… if not my sisters,” A’brevan said dryly. “I can trust he’d do what needs to be done without micromanaging. I’d like to talk to him first, of course. Make sure he isn’t attached to his wing.”
K’valdran chuckled. It was an unsparing, if honest, assessment of one of his dearest friends. He could not fault it. “I’ll leave it to you,” he said and lifted his glass. “To your new knots and fair skies.”
“And yours,” A’brevan said, raising his glass as well, “To good luck and easy ‘Falls, too.” He downed the brandy in a single swallow, and could only hope the next few months went by as smoothly.
Tossing his brandy back, K’valdran relished a grim sense of satisfaction. A’brevan was a good man, a good commander. It would benefit the Weyr to have him in charge of Ridge and I’serin-- but a quiet part of K’valdran had to admit that it would suit him for other reasons as well. He would be damned if he let _T’gyrlan_ take the wing.
Not the man that killed N'dirran.
* Indigo Wing
Last updated on the February 23rd 2026